Ark Valley News - 94 report to first day football practice

Junior Dylan Scheer rolls left to make a pass during practice Aug. 19.

94 report to first day football practice
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: August 23, 2013

A total of 94 Valley Center High School students came out for the first day of football practice Aug. 19, the highest participation number in at least five seasons.

First-year coach Caleb Smith said he liked the higher-than-normal participation.

Of the total, 43 were ninth-graders. The freshman class is the largest single grade level in the school district. Smith said between 25 and 30 freshmen participated in summer camps and workouts. He said he was surprised by the large group that turned out for practice.

The first-day group also included 20 sophomores, 22 juniors and nine seniors.

The small senior class included a couple of foreign-exchange students, Smith said.

The numbers are likely to fluctuate as practice progresses, he said.

The team had two practices a day Aug. 19 through 21 and the first day for full pads is Aug. 22, when the schedule will be cut to one practice per day.

The Aug. 23 practice, from 8 to 10 p.m., will be open to the public, Smith said.

There will be a scrimmage at the District Stadium from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 24.

The first game will be Sept. 6 at home against Andover Central.

2013 football schedule

Sept. 6 — home vs. Andover Central

Sept. 13 — home vs. Goddard

Sept. 20 — at Maize South

Sept. 27 — open

Oct. 4 — at Ark City

Oct. 11 — home vs. Goddard Eisenhower (homecoming)

Oct. 18 — at Andover (district game)

Oct. 25 — at Newton (district game)

Nov. 1 — home vs. Emporia (district game)